Two Ohio men are facing charges in connection with a series of animal shelter burglaries across the state. The charges were filed in Morrow County on March 20. According to the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, the men are thought to be responsible for at least 16 animal shelter break-ins since Jan. 9. Authorities said money was the main target of the thefts. The Morrow County Dog Shelter, the Medina County Animal Shelter, the Huron County Humane Society and the Wayne County Humane Society were among the facilities burglarized.
One of the suspects, age 36, was arrested on Feb. 27 in connection to an unrelated car wash break-in in Bucyrus. The circumstances surrounding the arrest of the second suspect, age 29, are not known. Both men were charged with breaking and entering for the alleged robbery of the Morrow County Dog Shelter. The 36-year-old is being held at Crawford County Correctional Facility on a $25,000 bond. The 29-year-old was booked into the Morrow County Correctional Facility on a $25,000 bond.
Multiple law enforcement offices throughout Ohio are cooperating in the investigation. More counties are expected to file charges against the suspects.
One of the possible motives behind a string of breaking and entering crimes is drug addiction. Those arrested on theft or drug charges may wish to retain a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. This could prevent a defendant from making self-incriminating statements during police questioning. Depending on the details of the case, it may be possible to negotiate an agreement with the prosecutor that would entail pleading guilty to a lesser charge in return for the withdrawal of more serious ones.
Source: Cleveland.com, “Suspects in Ohio animal shelter burglaries charged in Morrow County,” Evan MacDonald, March 27, 2015